Huawei has launched the Pura 70 Ultra, a new flagship model continuing its tradition of emphasizing photographic excellence. Replacing the well-known P series, this device introduces innovative features and powerful hardware, alongside some compromises to consider. This detailed review explores the design, performance, camera capabilities, and other key aspects of the Pura 70 Ultra to help you decide if it’s the right phone for you. The Pura 70 Ultra represents a significant step in Huawei’s ongoing efforts to deliver premium smartphone experiences, particularly in the competitive landscape of mobile photography.
Design, Build Quality, and Ergonomics: A Premium Aesthetic
Huawei has consistently delivered visually appealing devices, and the Pura 70 Ultra is no exception. It boasts a luxurious and eye-catching design, immediately drawing attention with its unique aesthetic and premium materials. The phone exudes a sense of sophistication and craftsmanship.
A Unique and Luxurious Feel
The rear panel is a standout feature, available in a variety of finishes including a distinctive “Crystal Diamond” texture that mimics the look of cut gemstones. This, combined with the curved design, gives the phone a truly premium feel. The eco-leather option, a Huawei signature, provides a comfortable and secure grip, resisting fingerprints better than glass alternatives. The color palette is also noteworthy, offering unique and stylish options.
Robust Construction and Durability
The Pura 70 Ultra is built to last. It features Kunlun Glass on the front display, known for its exceptional scratch resistance, and a sturdy aluminum frame. The IP68 rating provides excellent protection against dust and water, allowing you to use the phone confidently in various environments – up to 2 meters for 30 minutes. This level of protection is crucial for users who lead active lifestyles or frequently encounter challenging conditions.
Ergonomics and Handling
Despite its relatively large size (162.6 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm) and weight (226g), the Pura 70 Ultra surprisingly offers good ergonomics. The curved display and rounded edges contribute to a comfortable grip, minimizing sharp corners. The weight, while noticeable, also lends a feeling of solidity and premium quality. However, users with smaller hands might find it slightly challenging to operate with one hand.
Specifications and Unboxing: What’s Inside the Box?
The Huawei Pura 70 Ultra is a flagship device, representing a redesign of the photography-focused P series. At its core lies the new Kirin 9010 chipset, coupled with some of the most advanced technologies available on the market. While the P series name has transitioned to Pura, the core purpose remains the same: to deliver the best mobile photography experience.
Camera System: A Photographer’s Dream
The rear camera system is undoubtedly the star of the show. It comprises three lenses:
50MP 1-inch Sony IMX989 Main Sensor: This large sensor, with optical image stabilization (OIS) and a variable aperture, captures exceptional detail and dynamic range, particularly in low-light conditions. The variable aperture allows for greater control over depth of field and exposure.
40MP Ultra-Wide Angle Camera: Featuring autofocus, this lens is ideal for capturing expansive landscapes and group photos. The autofocus capability ensures sharp and detailed images even at close distances.
50MP Telephoto Camera: Offering 3.5x optical zoom and up to 10x hybrid zoom, this lens allows you to get closer to your subjects without sacrificing image quality.
The 13MP front-facing camera, also equipped with an ultra-wide-angle lens and autofocus, is perfect for selfies and video calls.
Display and Performance
The Pura 70 Ultra boasts a large 6.8-inch LTPO OLED display with a resolution of 1260p, 1B colors, and a 120Hz refresh rate. This combination delivers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and incredibly smooth scrolling and animations. The display also supports HDR content, enhancing the viewing experience for movies and videos. The Kirin 9010 chipset, while not the absolute top performer, provides ample power for most tasks.
Key Specifications at a Glance:
Dimensions: 162.6 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm, 226g
Material: Front: Glass, Frame: Aluminum, Back: Eco-leather or Glass
Water/Dust Resistance: IP68 (up to 2m for 30 minutes)
Display: 6.80″ LTPO OLED, 1B colors, HDR, 120Hz, 2500 nits (peak), 1260x2844px resolution
Chipset: Kirin 9010 (7 nm) – Octa-core (1 x 2.3 GHz Taishan Big & 3 x 2.18 GHz Taishan Mid & 4 x 1.55 GHz Cortex-A510); Mali-G910
Memory: 256GB/512GB/1TB storage options with 16GB RAM
Operating System: HarmonyOS 4.2
Rear Camera: 50MP (Main), 50MP (Telephoto), 40MP (Ultra-Wide)
Front Camera: 13MP
Battery: 5200mAh; 100W wired, 80W wireless, 20W reverse wireless
Connectivity: 5G, Dual SIM, Wi-Fi 6, BT 5.2, NFC, Infrared Port
Unboxing Experience
The Pura 70 Ultra arrives in a premium package, reflecting its flagship status. Inside, you’ll find the phone itself, a USB-C charging cable, documentation, and a SIM ejector tool. A charging brick is not included, a common trend among flagship devices.
Lab Tests: Display, Battery, Charging Speed, and Audio
Rigorous testing reveals the Pura 70 Ultra excels in several key areas.
Display Performance
The LTPO OLED display is truly exceptional. Color accuracy is superb, with vibrant and realistic colors. The high contrast ratio delivers deep blacks and bright whites. The 2500-nit peak brightness ensures excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. The 120Hz refresh rate contributes to a fluid and responsive user experience.
Battery Life and Charging
The 5200mAh battery provides solid all-day battery life with moderate usage. Heavy users might need to top up in the evening, but overall, battery performance is commendable. The 100W wired charging is incredibly fast, fully charging the phone in approximately 30 minutes. The 80W wireless charging is also significantly faster than many competitors. The 20W reverse wireless charging allows you to charge other devices, such as earbuds or smartwatches, using the phone as a power bank.
Audio Quality
The stereo speakers deliver clear and loud audio. The sound is well-balanced, with decent bass response. While not audiophile-grade, the speakers are more than adequate for enjoying music, podcasts, and videos.
Software and Performance: HarmonyOS and Kirin 9010
The Pura 70 Ultra runs on HarmonyOS 4.2, Huawei’s proprietary operating system. HarmonyOS offers a clean and intuitive user interface, with a focus on performance and customization.
HarmonyOS Experience
HarmonyOS 4.2 provides a smooth and responsive user experience. It includes a range of useful features, such as smart widgets, improved privacy controls, and enhanced multitasking capabilities. Huawei has made significant strides in optimizing HarmonyOS for performance and efficiency.
Kirin 9010 Performance
The Kirin 9010 chipset delivers good overall performance, but it’s not quite on par with the latest flagship chips from Qualcomm or MediaTek. While the phone handles everyday tasks and most games with ease, it may show some signs of strain when running demanding applications or playing graphically intensive games at the highest settings. The Mali-G910 GPU provides decent graphics performance, but it’s not a powerhouse.
Conclusion: A Stellar Camera Phone with Some Trade-offs
The Huawei Pura 70 Ultra is a compelling flagship smartphone, particularly for photography enthusiasts. Its exceptional camera system, stunning display, and premium design make it a standout device. However, the Kirin 9010 chipset, while capable, lags behind the competition in raw performance. The lack of a charging brick in the box is also a minor inconvenience.
Pros:
Exceptional camera system with a 1-inch sensor
Stunning LTPO OLED display
Premium design and build quality
Fast charging (100W wired, 80W wireless)
Good battery life
IP68 water and dust resistance
Cons:
Kirin 9010 chipset is not the fastest on the market
No charging brick included in the box
Large size may not be suitable for all users
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Does the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra support Google Play Services?
A: No, the Pura 70 Ultra does not natively support Google Play Services. However, Huawei has developed its own app store, AppGallery, which offers a growing selection of apps. Users can also explore third-party app stores or sideload apps, but this requires technical knowledge and carries potential security risks.
Q: What is the advantage of the variable aperture on the main camera?
A: The variable aperture allows the camera to adjust the amount of light entering the sensor. This provides greater control over depth of field (creating blurred backgrounds) and exposure, resulting in more versatile and creative photography.
Q: How does the Kirin 9010 compare to other flagship chipsets?
A: While the Kirin 9010 is a capable chipset, it generally lags behind the latest Snapdragon and Dimensity chips in terms of raw processing power and graphics performance. However, Huawei has optimized HarmonyOS to make the most of the available hardware.
Q: Is the Pura 70 Ultra worth the price?
A: That depends on your priorities. If you’re a photography enthusiast who values camera quality above all else, the Pura 70 Ultra is an excellent choice. However, if you prioritize raw performance and seamless Google Play Services integration, you might want to consider alternatives.
Q: What are the different color options available for the Pura 70 Ultra?
A: The Pura 70 Ultra is available in a variety of colors, including Black, White, Blue, and a unique “Crystal Diamond” finish. Specific availability may vary by region.
Q: Does the phone support 5G connectivity?
A: Yes, the Pura 70 Ultra supports 5G connectivity, allowing for fast download and upload speeds where 5G networks are available.
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